Railway-signal.



J. P. COLEMAN.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 17, 1909.

1,078,127. Patented Nov. 11, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I I amen/[7oz $2) HIoz u g J. P. COLEMAN.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION 211.2(1) APR. 17, 1909.

Patented Nov. 11, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

5 mm Mioz @Wtozne J. P. COLEMAN.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 17, 1909.

1,078,127, Patented Nov. 11,1913.

1 I 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3. I I I N N w '1 u w 3. 1?. COLEMAN. RAILWAY smm. APPLICATION FILED APR. 17, 1909.

' Patented Nov. 11, 1913.

4 SHEETB-SHEET 4.'

um'rnp STATES PATENT onruon.

JOHN P. COLEMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH 8c SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 11, 1913.

Application filed April 17, 1909. Serial'No. 490,630.

moving it, and an electrically operated means for retaining it in certain of its positions to which it is moved by the operating mechanism.

I will describe a railway signal embodying my invention with its application in a signaling system and then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view partly in diagram toshow a rail way signaling system including a railway signal embodying my invention, and partly in elevation and vertical section to show the operating mechanism of the railway signal. The parts of the operating mechanism are in the position they assume when the semaphore is in its danger position of indication. Figs. 2 and 3 are views like Fig. 1, except that they show the parts of the operating mechanism in the positions they assume when the semaphore is in its caution and safety positions, as well as the changes in the several circuits associated with the apparatus. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are each detail views of the electrically operated means for holding the semaphore in the position to which it is moved by the operating mechanisms. Fig.- 4 shows the position of the parts when the semaphore is in the position shown in Fig; '1, and Figs. 5 and 6 the positions of the parts when the semaphore is in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Figs. 7 and 8 are also detail views of the electrically operated means for holding the semaphore in the position to which it has been moved. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view to show the relative arrangement of some of the parts comprised in the railway signal.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of a pump employed in the operating mechanism. Fig. 11 is a detail view showing a modification.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts in all of the figures.

In the drawings (see railway signals of the diagrams) I have shown the operating mechanism as being located at the top of the supporting mast or post instead of at the bottom thereof. I do not, however, wish to be limited to this location of the mechanism, as it may be placed at the bottom of the mast or post equally as well. I have also shown the semaphore as being moved from its horizontal position upwardly to its other two positions of indication. The semaphore may be made to move from its horizontal position downwardly to its other two positions of indication equally as well. These different arrangements are understood by those skilled in the art and involve merely mechanical changes between the operating mechanism and the semaphore, which need not be described herein.

A designates a visual signal device here shown as being a semaphore, and comprising as usual a blade a and a counterweight a The counterweight a is adapted when the semaphore is free to move on its pivot o to move the blade to a horizontal position, which generally indicates danger or stop. The blade a is moved from its horizontal to its inclined and vertical positions by means of a fluid pressure apparatus, and in this invention the signal is held or retained in its inclined or verticalposition by an electrically operated means generally known in the art as an electric slot mechanism. liquid is used as the motive power, and the necessary pressure for the liquid is obtained by meansof a pump which is preferably electrically operated and controlled.

B designates a casing for containing the liquid B and some of the moving parts comprised in the operating mechanism. The liquid may be of any. of the special oils Whichare in general commercial use and which do not congeal at extremely low temperatures. Within the casing, and secured therein, is a suitable form of gear pump 13- and an electrically operated valve 3. The

tric motor 0 of'any desired type, the opera tion of which is, preferably, controlled through circuits which are opened and closed by the armatures of relays and a circuit controller included in the signaling circuit as will hereinafter appear. The valve B is operated by means of an electromagnet 13 which comprises a coil (not shown) an armature B and 'a stem B connected with the armature and valve. This may be of a construction well known in the electrical art. A spring or other device is employed to move the valve B and armature B in one direction (to unseat the valve) when the electromagnet B9 is deenergized. This electromagnet B is included in multiple circuit with the electric motor 0.

The cylinder 12 is suitably secured within the casing. The stem 6 of the piston is provided with a rack or gear teeth b which mesh with a segment Z2 secured to the pivot an of the semaphore. The gear teeth I) are suitably held in mesh with the segment b 'The semaphore in this invention is held in its inclined andvertical position by an electrically operated means generally known in the art as an electric slot mechanism.

Movable with the semaphore are two rollers g, 9 which coact with a roller h to retain the semaphore in either its vertical or inclined positions, when the roller 72. is held against displacement by the weight of the semaphore in returning to its horizontal position of indication. The rollers g, g are mounted in tangentially arranged slots g" provided in a pair of disks 9*, g which are fixed on the plvot 0. oi; the semaphore (see Figs. 7, 8 and 9). As the blade is moved from its horizontalto its vertical and inclined positions the rollers g, g in successively traveling over the roller 71. (when the latter is held against displacement) move upwardly in their tangential slots (see Fig. 7) .and after passing the roller l1. they move downwardly in their slots to one side of the roller 72. (see Figs. 5 and 6). The trunnions of the rollers g, g which are designated 23, the trunnion of the roller 71. which is designated 2, and the pivot 3 of the lever h in which the roller h is trunnioned, form 1 in effect a toggle, the point 2 always tending to move downward under the weight of the semaphore acting through the point t, and so long as the point 2 is held from displacement the blade will be held from a reverse movement. It will be seen in Figs.

driven to force the liquid 5 and 6 that owing to the tangential arrangement of the slots g in which the rollers g and g move, there is no tendency for these rollers to rise in' their slots to pass the roller h to permit a movement of the semaphore toward horizontal position. The roller h at times is held from displacement by the lever 72. the links h 72., and arma; ture h provided for the electromagnets h. When the electromagnets h are energized to hold the armature k against movement on its pivot 7, the lever 71?, and links it It will be held in the positions shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 and in this position the=-pivot 4 of the lever k and the connections 5, 6 of the link I). with the levers k andv l1. form in effect a toggle, the connection 5 always tending to move outwardly under the weight of the semaphore transmitted to the roller 7;, to displace it downwardly. The connection 5 is held against outward movement by the link it and armature [L5 solong as the electromagnets -h are energized; but as soon as they are deenergized, the levers and links 78, if, 11. and h and armature it assume the positions shown in Fig. 8 to permit a reverse movement of the blade that is, in the direction indicated by the arrow. A spring h is designed, after the blade has reached its horizontal position to return the levers and links 72. h h, h and armature h to substantially the position shown' in Fig. 7, so that the armature h will be in position to be attracted by the electroma nets h to" move and hold these parts in the positions shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

D designates a suitable form of circuit controller having a pair of stationary contacts d, d and movable contacts (2 d. The stationary contacts d, d are operated upon the movements of the piston b, and as shown are moved by the insulated end d of one arm of a bell crank lever d suitably pivoted and carrying a roller d in the other arm of the bell-crank lever. D designates a second circuit controller, having movable contacts d, d, and a stationary contact (i The movable contacts d, d are operated upon the movements of the piston b and as s own are moved by the insulated arm 03 carried by one arm of a bell crank lever al which is suitably pivoted and carrying a roller 03 in the other arm. The two bell crank levers d and (2 are conuected by a spring d" which tends to move them in one directionof their pivots, while projection d" on the piston stem 1) causes movements in a reverse direction.

The operation of the mechanism, without regard to any signaling system, briefly stated is as follows: Assumin the parts to be'in the position shown in ls ig. 1 nd the valve B to be seated, when the cir uit on the motor 0 is closed, the 1gear pum' B is 1 under t e piston to have it move the piston and conse quently the blade a to either its inclined position (Fig. 2) or its vertical position (Fig. 3). When the blade a reaches either its inclined or vertical position, the circuit on the motoris opened by the action of the circuit controller D or D and the blade is held in the position to which it has been moved by the electric slot mechanism. When the blade is to have a reverse movement under the influence of its counterweight a the valve B is unseated to allow the liquid to escape through the ports 5 and the magnets k are denergized-the ports 6 maybe of any diameter, a'liquid dash pot is formed by the liquid, piston and cylinder, and the return movement of the blade is cushioned. The blade may be stopped in its inclined position (in moving from its vertical posit-ion) upon the energization of the electromagnets of the electric slot mechanism.

It will be understood, of course, that the piston is properly fitted and packed in the cylinder to insure its pro-per operation and to prevent undue leakage of the liquid past the piston. The several valves also will be properly fitted and seated to have a minimum leakage. The diameters of the ports and passages will be such as to afford the proper flow and escape of the liquid.

In the drawings, I have shown diagrammatically a portion of a railway whichis divided into sections, generally termed block sections, by means of insulated joints as placed in one or both track rails. I have shown one complete section X and portions of two others, Y, Z. At the entrance end of each block section, a railway signal is placed and in the present case where a three position signal is used, it gives an indication of the service condition of not only the section for which it is provided, but also for the section succeeding it. For example, when a train is in the section for which the railway signal is provided (see X, Fig. 1), the blade thereof is in its horizontal position and when the'train is wholly in section Y (see Fig. 2) the blade for the section X is in its inclined position, which signifies to a following enginedriver that, although the section on which he is about to enter (X).is clear of a train, the succeeding section (Y) is occupied by a train. The railway signal for section X is designated S, and the railway signal for thesection Y is designated S and so on.

lfiach section is provided with a track circuit which isformed in part by the track rails of the section, a source of current T B at one end of the track circuit, and a relay device R at the other end of the track circuit. The source of current may be alternating or direct and the relay may be of any preferred type best adapted for the railway towhich the signaling system is applied. These parts are conventionally illustrated in the drawings.- The function and action of a track circuit with and without a train in the section for which the track circuit is provided is so well understood in the art as not to require further description. In the signaling systems illustrated there is provided a second relay R for each track circuit, the circuit for which is controlled-by the armature of the track relay of the next succeeding section. For example, the circuit of the relay-R for section X is con trolled by the armature of the track relay R provided for the succeeding section Y, which circuit also includes a circuit controller P which is operated upon the movement of the blade of the railway signal. When the blade of the signal is in its horizontal or danger position the circuit con troller P is opened (see Fig. 1). When the blade is in its inclined or vertical positions, the circuit controller is closed (see Figs. 2 and'3). The circuit for any relay B may be traced as follows: Starting from onepole of a battery Q (whichis also used locally to supply current to the motor C, the electrically operated valve comprised in the signal operating mechanism and the electro magnets ofthe slot mechanism it is wire 1, relay R wire 2, circuit controller P, front contact and armature 1' of the track relay of the next succeeding section, and wire 3 to the other pole of the battery. \Vhen this circuit is closed at all points (the armature 1- and. circuit controller P) the relay R is energized to attract its armature 1*. When open at any point the relay is denergized and releases its armature 1". The armature r, by its movements, closes. and opens any circuits in which it may be included.

The operation of the signaling system illustrated in connection with the railway signals, briefly stated, is as follows: With no car or train or any part of it in either of the sections X and Y, but with a train in the section following sect-ion Y, the blades of the. railway signals, and the condition of thecircuits will be in the position shown in Fig. 3. The positions of the parts of the 115 operating mechanism of railway signal S will be those shown in Fig. 3, while the positions of the parts of the operating mechanism of railway signal S will be those entered section X and to have proceeded 1 through the section X and partially into the section Y, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1;

Q with this assumption, the blades of the railway signals S and S together with the arts'o-f the operating mechanisms thereof,

will be in the positions shown in Fig. 1, due

to the circuits on the coils B being opened to permit the liquid to escape past the valves B- and through the ports b.

shown in Fig. 2. Assume a train W to have 120 and opened on g and g movlng past the roller it (see Fig.

8). The conditlons of circuits of thesignal systemand the local circuits for these tworailway signals will be that illustrated in;

Fig. 1. As soon as the train W entirely leaves sect-ion X, the relay R thereof will bei energized by its battery and will attract its Immedi-. ately this is done, two circuits. will. be closed armature 7-, to its front contact.

or established, one ontlie? motor C and the er on the-coil B t-of the electrically operated valve; the circuit fqfithe'z coil B may be traced as followszestarting from one pole of the battery Q'it, is 'wire 3, armature r,-

wires 4, '5, contacts dadt of circuit controller D, wire 6, contacts (i df of circuit'controller Diywires'l, 8, 9-.-.coil-Bl9,- and wires 10, 11 to the other pole of the battery. The valve B will then .be seated so that the liquid forced by the pump B? past the check-valve will lift the piston b. The circuit for the motor C will be-that described in connection with the coils B so far as the wire 8, from which it continues through wire 12, motor C, and wire 13, 11 to the other pole of the battcry. The liquid forced by the operation of the pump under the piston, causes the piston to move upward and move the blade a to its inclined position. =When the blade reaches its inclined position (see Fig. 2) the bellcrank lever 03 is moved on its pivot by the spring d to cause its end d to break the circuit on the motor C and coil 13 by moving the contact a? away from contact d and permit the contact d to move into engagement with the contact d and thus establish a circuit onthe electromagnets h to hold the'blade iniits inclined position, and thus no. more liquid is forced beneath the piston.

The circuit established for the electromagnets it may be traced as follows: battery Q, wire 3, armature 1', wires 4, 5, contacts at, d

of circuitcontroller D, wire 6, contact 03 d", of circuit controller D wire 14, magnets 71., and wires 15, 13, and 11 to battery Q. When the car or train W has passed entirely out of section Y (see Fig. 3) its track relay R is again energized and circuits. are closed on the motor and coil B ofi the operating mechanism of railway signal S in the manner described in connection with railway signal S, so that the blade a of'railway signal S will 'be moved to its inclined position. In so moving, it closes the circuit controller P, and thus the circuit on the relay R for section X is closed and its armature r is attracted (see Fig. 3). When the armature '7" is attracted, a circuit will be closed on the motor 0 and coil B of railway signal S, which ma be 'traced asfollows (Fig. 2):

Starting rom one pole. ofbattery it" is wire 3, armature r,'wire"4, wlre '16, armature 1*, wire ,17, contacts d d of circuit- .I

controller D, wires 18, 8,12, motor 0, and

. drawing.

wires 13, 11 back to battery. The circuit for the coil B 9 is the same as described for the motor C, as far as wire 8, from where it cone tinuesthrou hwire9, G011 13 and wires '10, 11 back to attery, liquid is then forced under therpiston to complete its stroke, and move the blade at to its vertical position (see Fig. 3) In moving to this position,the circuits just-described for the motor C and coil -B are broken by the bell-crank lever d being moved on its jectiond the end a? of which bell-crank moves the contact-d out of engagement with the contactia? (see Fig. 3). The circuit on the electromagnets h is not broken, but is changed by the movement of the bell-crank lever (2 becoming as follows: battery Q, wire 3, armature 1", wires 4, 16, armature 7*, wire 17, contacts 0?, d of circuit controller D,wire 6, contacts d", d of circuit controller D wire 14, magnets 71., wires 15, 13, 11, to battery Q. The blade 0. after being moved to its vertical position, is thus held against return movement by the roller h of the slot mechanism as hereinbefore described.

pivot by the lower pro- Y the relay R of section X will be denergized to drop its relay so as to open the circuit on the electromagnets to allow the blade of railway signal S to move to its inclined position in which position the parts and circuits will be that illustrated in Fig. 2. Of course a train entering section X will also open the circuit on the electroma nets h", and armature It will permit the blade of signal S to go to danger (see Fig. 1).

In Fig. 11 I have illustrated a modification of my invention. I dispense with the coil 13 and mechanically actuate the valve B through a governor M mounted on the armature shaft of the motor C. A lever m suitably pivoted intermediate its ends is connected at one end with a sleeve M movable with the governor; the other end of the lever is connected with the stem B of the valve 13". Instead, the lever m may be employed only to seat the valve B and a spring employed to unseat it, in which case the lever m need only engage with the stem B. The other arts of the operating mechanism of the rai we? signal Wlll be the same as illustrated in the other figures of the In this a plication I- have not claimed various detai s of my apparatus which may obviously be used in connection with signal devices having other forms of holding mechanism, such, for instance, as' the specific means for operating and controlling the .signal device; these -I have claimed in an 1 ajpplication filed by me-o'n March 20, 1909,

which bears Serial No. 484,624. I

Having thus described my invention, what claim is: y

. 1 '1. In combination, a pivoted signal depivotal point, an electromagnet, and a movable member controlled by the electromagnet and adapted to engage the roller.

means for moving it to another position of indication; and a mechanism for holding the signal device in the position to which it has been moved, comprising a roller mounted to move with the signal device and to have movements relatively thereto in a line tangential to a circle described about the pivotal point, an electromagnet, a movable member, and mechanism interposed between the electromagnet and the movable member and controlled by the electromagnet for holding the movable member in engagement with the roller.

disks movable wit the slgnal device, oppositely arranged slots in said disks, the said slots be ng tangential to a circle described about the center of oscillation of the disks, a roller mounted in said slots, a movable member adapted to engage with the said roller, and an electromagnet for holding the said movable member in position for engagement with the roller.

4. In combination, a pivoted signal device biased to one position of indication; means for moving it to other positions of indication; and a mechanism for holding the signal device in the positions to which it has been moved, comprising a roller for each posltion to which the signal device is to be moved, each of said rollers being mounted to move with the signal device and to have movements relatively thereto in lines tangential to a circle described about the pivotal point, a movable member adapted to engage with the rollers, and mechanism includlng an electromagnet for holding the movable member in position for engagem n 5. In combination, a ivoted si nal device biased to one position of in ication' means for moving it to another position of 1nd1cat1on; and a holding mechanism comprlsmg an electromagnet, a movable member, mechanism interposed between the two and controlled by the electroma et for holding the movable member rigi in one position, a rotatable member moving with the signal device, a member carried by said rotatable member and mounted for movement relative thereto, the said relative movement being out of and into position for engagement with the first movable member during a movement of the signal device away from itsbiased position.

6. In combination, a signal device biased to one position of indication; means for moving it to another position of indication;

I and a holding device comprising an oscil- 2. In combina'tlon, a plvoted signal device biased to one positlon of 1nd1cat1on;

lating member moving with the signal device, a roller carried by said member and mounted to have movements relatively thereto in a line tangential to a circle described about the center of oscillation, a movable member adapted to' engage with the said roller, and mechanism including an electromagnet for holding said movable member in engaging position.

7. In combination, a signal device biased to one position of indication; means for moving it to another position of indication; and a holding device comprising a member operatively connected with the signal device and adapted for movementabout a central point, a roller carried by said member and mounted to have movements relatively thereto in a line tangential to a circle described about the center of movement of the said member, a second movable member adapted to engage with the said roller, and mechanism including an electromagnet for holding the said second movable member 111 engaging position.

8. In combination, a movable signal device biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position; and a holding device for holding it in the last named position comprising an oscillating member operatively connected with the signal device, a second member carried by said oscillating member and mounted thereon to have movement relatively thereto 1n a line substantially tangential to a circle described about the center of oscillatlon, a third member, means for holding the th rd member rigidly in the path of the second member, the tangential movement of the second member permitting it to pass the third member while the signal device is being moved away from the biased position and the third member is held rigidly 1n the said path, but not permitting it to pass the third member when said third member is held rigidly in its path to allow a return movement of the signal device.

9. In combination, a movable signal device biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another positlon; and a holding device for holding it in the last-named position comprising a member movable with the signal device, a slot in said member, a roller in the slot, a second member, means for holdlng the second member rigidly in the path of the roller, the slot being s'o disposed with respect to the direction of movement of the first-mentioned member that the roller can pass the second member- While the signal device is moving away from its biased position and the second member is held rigidly in its path, but that the roller cannot pass the second member to permit a return movement of-the signal device while the second member is held 10 rigidly in its path.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specificationin the presence of two subscribed Witnesses.

' JOHN P. COLEMAN.

Witnesses: r

M. S. KIRKLAND, W. F. WOOD. 

